Producers of Small Arms, Light

NUMBER 43 • JULY 2014

Weapons, and Their Ammunition

T
housands of companies from some 100 is a joint venture involving BAE Systems
countries produce small arms, light PLC of the United Kingdom (37.5 per cent),
weapons, and their ammunition. While Airbus Group—itself a conglomerate of vari-
comprehensively identifying producers and ous European interests—(37.5 per cent), and
& MARKETS

estimating the global production of small arms Finmeccanica SpA of Italy (25 per cent).
and light weapons is a challenging exercise due The companies given in Table 3 may be
WEAPONS

to the opacity of the market, this Research Note state owned or privately held, or a combina-
draws on existing data from the industry and tion of the two. They usually produce a mix
authorized trade to provide insights into the of small arms (such as handguns, shotguns,
main producers and categories of weapons assault rifles, and light and medium2 machine
produced worldwide. guns), light weapons (such as heavy machine
The Research Note identifies 30 states that guns, portable grenade launchers and rifle gre-
comprise some of the world’s major producers of nades, man-portable anti-tank weapons and
small arms, light weapons, and their associated ammunition, and man-portable air defence
Research Notes

ammunition. It focuses on the 20 countries systems (MANPADS)), ammunition, and pyro-

reported to be the top exporters1 (see Table 2), technics. Many of these companies also produce,
as well as India, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan sell, and export firearms for civilian markets
(which produce sizeable quantities of arms largely (personal defence, hunting, and sporting).
for domestic customers). It also focuses on More than 60 countries currently produce
Finland, which the Small Arms Survey believes complete light weapons systems or components.
routinely exports USD 50–99 million worth of More than half of them are known to produce
small arms per year, but cannot be documented MANPADS or anti-tank guided weapons
as having exported more than USD 100 million (ATGWs) (see Table 1), or components for these
worth of weapons in a calendar year. The report (Berman and Leff, 2008).
primarily covers arms intended for military The granting of licences and production
use. Only about a dozen countries produce rights and the spread of technology have
advanced guided light weapons, and these enabled many countries to produce small
are also outlined in the Research Note. arms and light weapons without undertaking
expensive or time-consuming research and
development programmes. The Survey esti-
The weapon-producing companies mates that 530,000–580,000 military rifles,
assault rifles, and carbines are produced
Table 2 lists some of the companies producing
annually either under licence or as unlicensed
small arms, light weapons, or their associated
copies (Sulashvili, 2007).
ammunition from the top 20 arms-exporting
countries (listed in Table 3), as well as Finland,
India, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan. Many Table 1 Countries producing MANPADS and/or ATGWs
of the larger companies producing such weap- (1947–2007)
ons and their associated ammunition own
and operate enterprises in several countries. Argentina Poland
One example, Rheinmetall AG, headquartered Brazil Romania
in Germany, owns subsidiary companies Bulgaria Russia
manufacturing small arms, light weapons, or China Serbia
their associated ammunition or components in Czech Republic Singapore
Egypt Slovak Republic
Canada, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland,
France South Africa
the United States, and elsewhere.
Germany South Korea
Furthermore, for some large companies,
Greece Spain
such as Raytheon in the United States, the India Sweden
production of small arms, light weapons, or Iran Switzerland
their associated ammunition constitutes only Israel Taiwan
a small portion of their total production output Italy Turkey
in terms of revenue. Another complicating Japan United Kingdom
factor for researchers is that some companies Netherlands United States
producing small arms, light weapons, or North Korea Vietnam
ammunition are joint-venture enterprises Pakistan
with controlling interests in several countries.
MANPADS ATGWs
One example is MBDA Missile Systems, which Source: Berman and Leff (2008, pp. 34-35)

Small Arms Survey Research Notes • Number 43 • July 2014 1

 from those for small arms and light fire, and shotshell ammunition, as well
Ammunition producers weapons. The production capacity of as the cartridge cases, primers, pro-
Research suggests that over 100 coun- a single production line is calculated jectiles, and shot columns/wads to
tries currently produce small arms on the basis of its maximum output produce such ammunition. These man-
ammunition; however, only 36 compa- of rounds produced per minute, per ufacturers typically offer 400–1,000
nies were identified as significant pro- hour, or per shift. A typical assembly line items globally. The ten manufac-
ducers of ammunition for export to line might manufacture 130 rounds turers identified are: Arms Corporation
military customers. Further, just 15 states per minute, with a potential annual of the Philippines (Philippines), ATK
accounted for 90 per cent of identified output of 7–12 million rounds per Defense Group (United States), CBC
ammunition exports in 2011. Only a assembly line. Total ammunition pro- Group (Brazil), Fiocchi Munizioni SpA
handful of countries have the capacity duction will fluctuate, however, to (Italy), Industrias Tecnos (Mexico),
to reliably produce small arms ammuni- adapt to higher demand, routine Nammo AS (Norway), Poongsan Cor-
tion of consistent quality in significant maintenance, and new client require- poration (South Korea), Remington Arms
quantities (Corney and Marsh, 2013, p. 5). ments. At present there are ten ‘full Co. LLC (United States), RUAG Group
Ammunition products, production, product line’ manufacturers in the (Switzerland), and Winchester Ammu-
and markets differ in many ways world manufacturing rimfire, centre- nition (United States) (Bussard, 2012).

Table 2 Selected companies producing small arms and light weapons, by country*

Host country Producer (company)a Primary product type/s

Austria GLOCK GmbH Small arms

Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co. KG Small arms
Belgium Groupe Herstal SA Light weapons, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Brazil CBC Group Small arms ammunition
Forjas Taurus SA Small arms
Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (IMBEL) Light weapons ammunition and small arms
Canada Colt Canada Corporationb Small arms
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems–Canadac Light weapons ammunition and small arms ammunition
Chinad China Poly Group Corporation Less-lethal ammunition, less-lethal weapons, light weapons, light weapons
ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) Less-lethal ammunition, less-lethal weapons, light weapons, light weapons
ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition

Czech Republic Česká Zbrojovka AS Small arms and light weapons

Finland Patria Oyj Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms ammunition
France Nexter Group SA Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms
Thales Group SA Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Germany J.G. ANSCHÜTZ GmbH & Co. KG Small arms
Diehl Stiftung GmbH Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Heckler & Koch GmbH Light weapons and small arms ammunition
L & O-Holdinge Light weapons and small arms
PW Group Small arms
Rheinmetall AG Less-lethal ammunition, light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms,
and small arms ammunition

India Bharat Dynamics Ltd Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Ordnance Factories Board Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Iran Defence Industries Organization Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Israel Elbit Systems Ltd Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Israel Military Industries Ltd Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms
Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
SK Group Light weapons and small arms
Italy Beretta Holding SpA Light weapons, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Finmeccanica SpA Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Fiocchi Munizioni SpA Small arms ammunition
Japan Asahi-Seiki Manufacturing Co. Ltd Small arms ammunition
Howa Machinery Co. Ltd Light weapons and small arms
North Koreaf First Machine Industry Bureau Light weapons and small arms

2 Small Arms Survey Research Notes • Number 43 • July 2014

 are also significant producers of small tries include all of the top exporters
Arms exports as an indicator arms and light weapons, while other (USD 100 million worth of exports or
of production producers manufacture primarily more in a single calendar year), as well
While the industry is in many ways for their domestic markets. However, as several countries with significant
opaque, examining patterns of small not all exporters are producers. Some industrial capacities that meet the needs
arms and light weapons exports pro- countries with recorded ‘exports’— of their domestic markets. The Survey
vides some insight into the production significantly smaller than those listed has yet to estimate domestic produc-
capabilities of many countries. The in this report—are simply countries tion (focusing instead on transfers).
Small Arms Survey has identified 20 through which arms and munitions Some states, however, such as India,
countries that have exported USD 100 have transited or been re-exported. Iran, and Pakistan, also have substan-
million worth of small arms and light Conversely, most of the top manu- tial small arms industrial production
weapons or more in a single calendar facturing countries are also the top capacities to accommodate sizeable
year since 2001 (see Table 3). This num- exporting countries, and tracking domestic markets without being major
ber is likely larger, given the opacity exports is a useful way to gain some exporters. It is also difficult to assess
of the arms trade (Holtom, Pavesi, and insight into a country’s manufacturing the production and export volumes of
Rigual, 2014). All of these exporters capabilities. The main producing coun- several countries that do not report

Host country Producer (company)a Primary product type/s

Norway Nammo ASg Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms ammunition
Pakistan Pakistan Ordnance Factories Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Russian Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms, and small arms ammunition
Federation (TsNIITochMash)
CJSP Klimovsk Specialized Ammunition Plant Small arms ammunition
OJSC V.A. Degtyarev Plant Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms
OJSC State Research and Production Enterprise Bazalt Less-lethal ammunition, light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms
SC Russian Technologies (Rostec) Light weapons and small arms
South Korea Hanwha Corporation Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
LIG Nex1 Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Poongsan Corporation Light weapons ammunition and small arms ammunition
S&T Group Light weapons and small arms
Spain INSTALAZA SA Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
MaxamCorp Holding SL Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms ammunition
Sweden Saab Group Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Switzerland KRISS Group Small arms
RUAG Group Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms ammunition
Turkey Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK) Less-lethal ammunition, light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms,
and small arms ammunition

United Kingdom Accuracy International Ltd Small arms

BAE Systems PLC Light weapons, light weapons ammunition, and small arms ammunition
Chemring Group PLC Less-lethal ammunition and light weapons ammunition
United States Alliant Techsystems Inc. Light weapons ammunition and small arms ammunition
Colt’s Manufacturing Co. LLC Small arms and light weapons
Freedom Group Small arms and small arms ammunition
GenCorp Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
General Dynamics Corporation Less-lethal weapons, light weapons, light weapons ammunition, small arms,
and small arms ammunition
Olin Corporation Small arms and small arms ammunition
Raytheon Co. Light weapons and light weapons ammunition
Smith & Wesson Small arms
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Small arms
TASER International Inc. Less-lethal weapons and less-lethal ammunition
Textron Systems Light weapons ammunition and small arms ammunition
* Where possible the information in this table was taken from open-source material published by the companies themselves.
a
These companies are not necessarily the top-tier parent companies, but represent the highest level company in a group participating in the defence industry.
b
Colt Canada Corporation is a subsidiary of Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC (USA).
c
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems–Canada is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation (United States).
d
Information on Chinese arms manufacturers is sparse and riddled with inaccuracies. These represent our best attempt to give examples of Chinese production.
e
Consisting of two interconnected holdings, L & O-Holding Verwaltungs-GmbH and L & O-Holding GmbH & Co. KG.
f
Information on North Korean arms production is extremely limited.
g
Nammo AS is owned by the Norwegian state (50 per cent) and Patria Oyj of Finland (50 per cent).

Small Arms Survey Research Notes • Number 43 • July 2014 3

Table 3 Top exporters of small arms based on (Bevan, 2013). The Survey also esti-
UN Comtrade data, listed in descending order mates that approximately 17 million
of value exported on average for 2001–11* Lee Enfield-series rifles and at least
7 million G3-pattern rifles have been About the
United States Canada produced to date (Bevan, 2014). Small Arms Survey
Italy Czech Republic The Small Arms Survey serves as the
Germany Israel principal international source of public
Brazil South Korea Notes information on all aspects of small arms
Austria Turkey and armed violence, and as a resource
1 It is important to differentiate between
Belgium United Kingdom centre for governments, policy-makers,
exporting and producing countries,
Switzerland France researchers, and activists. In addition to
however, as several states produce sizeable
Japan China quantities of small arms and light weapons Research Notes, the Survey distributes
Russian Federation Norway for their domestic markets. its findings through Occasional Papers,
Spain Sweden 2 Also known as general-purpose machine Special Reports, Working Papers, Issue
Red: countries reported to have exported UDS 100 million worth of
guns. Briefs, a Book Series, and its annual flag-
arms at least five times between 2001 and 2011. ship publication, the Small Arms Survey.
Black: countries reported to have exported USD 100 million worth The project has an international staff
of arms at least once between 2001 and 2011.
References with expertise in security studies, political
* This list relies on figures reported in UN Comtrade for the follow-
Berman, Eric and Jonah Leff. 2008. ‘Light science, international public policy, law,
ing categories, reflecting the trade in small arms and light weapons,
including their parts, components, accessories, and ammunitions: Weapons: Products, Producers, and Pro- economics, development studies, conflict
930100 (military weapons), 930120 (rocket and grenade launchers, liferation.’ In Small Arms Survey. Small resolution, sociology, and criminology,
etc.), 930190 (military firearms), 930200 (revolvers and pistols), Arms Survey 2008: Risk and Resilience. and works closely with a worldwide net-
930320 (sporting and hunting shotguns), 930330 (sporting and
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, work of researchers and partners.
hunting rifles), 930510 (parts and accessories of revolvers and
pp. 34–35. The Small Arms Survey is a project
pistols), 930521 (shotgun barrels), 930529 (parts and accessories
of shotguns and rifles), 930621 (shotgun cartridges), and 930630 Bevan, James. 2013. Military Assault Rifles. of the Graduate Institute of International
(small arms ammunition). It is important to note that several coun- Research Note No. 25. Geneva: Small and Development Studies, Geneva. For
tries do not report or do not fully report their exports of small arms, Arms Survey.
more information, please visit:
light weapons, and associated ammunition. —. 2014. Rifles. Research Note No. 38. Geneva:
Sources: NISAT (n.d.); UN Comtrade (n.d.); Rigual (2014). Small Arms Survey. www.smallarmssurvey.org
Bussard, Michael. 2012. Ammo Encyclopedia,
exports. Some of these, including Iran 4th edn. Minneapolis: Blue Book.
Publication date: July 2014
and North Korea, are suspected of Corney, Neil and Nicholas Marsh. 2013. Aiming
for Control: The Need to Include Ammunition
exporting significant quantities of
in the Arms Trade Treaty. PRIO Paper. Oslo:
small arms and light weapons.
Export data can also help in esti-
Peace Research Institute Oslo. Credits
Holtom, Paul, Irene Pavesi, and Christelle
mating units of weapons produced Author: N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Rigual. 2014. ‘Trade Update: Transfers,
globally. The 2009 Small Arms Survey Retransfers, and the ATT.’ In Small Arms Contributors: Sam Baartz, Jonathan
identified an international trade of Survey. Small Arms Survey 2014: Women Ferguson (ARES), Pierre Gobinet, Aaron
some half a million military-standard and Guns. Cambridge: Cambridge Uni- Karp, Benjamin King, Nicolas Marsh,
long arms (not including Chinese versity Press, pp. 108–43. Christelle Rigual, Matt Schroeder, and
exports), as well as over 1.5 million NISAT (Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Michael Smallwood (ARES)
handguns. In addition, some 2.5 million Transfers). n.d. NISAT Small Arms Trade
Copy-editing: Alex Potter
units of sporting rifles and shotguns Database. Researcher’s Database. Accessed
(fpcc@mtnloaded.co.za)
16 April 2014. <http://www.prio.no/NISAT/
were identified among global exports.
Small-Arms-Trade-Database/> Design and layout: Rick Jones
These estimates are conservative, with
Rigual, Christelle. 2014. Major Exporters and (rick@studioexile.com)
actual international trade likely to be Importers, 2001–2011. Unpublished back-
significantly higher. Production, of ground paper. Geneva. February.
course, is higher still, with most pro- Sulashvili, Barbara Gimelli. 2007. ‘Multiply-
ducers typically satisfying both a ing the Sources: Licensed and Unlicensed
Contact details
domestic and an export market. Rifles, Military Production.’ In Small Arms Small Arms Survey
including assault rifles, have consti- Survey. Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns 47 Avenue Blanc
tuted the bulk of military small arms and the City. Cambridge: Cambridge 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
production in the 20th and 21st centuries, University Press, p. 8.
t +41 22 908 5777 f +41 22 732 2738
UN Comtrade (United Nations Commodity
and are manufactured widely through- e info@smallarmssurvey.org
Trade Statistics Database). n.d. Database.
out the world. Research conducted by
Accessed 18 April 2014. <http://comtrade.
the Survey has provided some indica-
un.org/db/>
tive numbers relating to the total pro-
duction of selected rifles. It estimates For more information about producers of
that 35–100 million AK-pattern weap- small arms, light weapons, and their ammu-
ons were produced from the 1950s nition, please visit: <http://www.smallarms
until the present day, and that 8–12 survey.org/?producers.html>
million AR-15 rifles and derivatives
were produced from the 1960s onwards

4 Small Arms Survey Research Notes • Number 43 • July 2014